What does it mean to “Stand in Holy
Places”?
Contents
Doctrine and Covenants Gospel
Doctrine manual-2001-page 118
First-The meaning of ‘Stand in Holy
Places’ in D&C 45:32
Second- The meaning of ‘Stand in Holy Places’ in D&C
101: 22-23
Third-The meaning of ‘Stand in Holy Places’ in D&C
87:8
Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s manual for the Old
Testament-2002-page 175
Isaiah 4:5-6 Refers to the Millennium
Isaiah 2:2-3-The Mountain of
the Lord’s House
Isaiah 5:26-29-An Ensign to the
Nations
Additional
Notes: - The relationship between the Church and Zion
Introduction
The
Doctrine and Covenants teaches the truth in plainness and simplicity.
Giving a false or misleading meaning to any
scripture is condemned by the Lord and could be classified as false doctrine. It is also wrong to give an
alternative interpretation to a phrase of scripture, however innocent it may
appear to be than that intended by the Lord.
It is
important that scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants is not taken out of
context? When we take any phrase of scripture out of context we are liable to
build error upon error.
President
Joseph Fielding Smith taught: -
“It
is wrong to take one passage of scripture and isolate it from all other
teachings dealing with the same subject. We should bring together all that has
been said by authority on the question. If we were to make a photograph, it
would be necessary for all your rays of light to be properly focused on the
subject. If this were not done then a blurred picture would be the result. This
is the case when we try to obtain a mental picture when we have only a portion
of the facts dealing with the subject we are considering.”
(Joseph Fielding Smith, D.O.S 2:95-96.)
The
following quote was used by President Ezra T Benson
“We
do not wish incorrect and unsound doctrines to be handed down to posterity
under the sanction of great names, to be received and valued by future
generations as authentic and reliable…. the interests of posterity are, to a
certain extent in our hands. Errors in history and in doctrine if left
uncorrected by us who are conversant with the events, and who are in a position
to judge the truth or falsity of the doctrines, would go to our children as
though we had sanctioned and endorsed them.”
Messages
of First presidency page 232. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Daniel Wells.
Quoted by Ezra T. Benson in Church news
Truth in doctrine is of Jesus
Christ
Error
in doctrine is of the Devil-however innocent it may appear
To
remain the pure in heart we need pure doctrine untainted by the teachings of
man and the falsehoods of Satan
Where
we lack understanding in any doctrine of the gospel we should earnestly seek
through study, pondering and prayer for greater enlightenment?
If
false or misleading statements on doctrine become apparent in the church we
should endeavour to have these corrected, no matter what the source of the error.
It is my personal opinion that the phrase
“Stand in Holy Places” is frequently taken out of context in church manuals and
sermons. An
example of this is found in the: -
Doctrine
and Covenants Gospel Doctrine manual- for the year 2001-page 118
After
listing the scriptures on the negative signs of the Second Coming, including
famines, scourges, sickness, desolation, wars, earthquakes, tempests, great
waves of the sea, iniquity will abound, and the whole earth in commotion, etc,
the question is asked: -
What
does it mean to “stand in holy places”?
The
scripture references which include this phrase are given as: -
D&C 45:32
D&C 87:8
D&C 101:22-23
A
further question in the gospel doctrine manual is to be asked of class members:
-
“What are some of these holy places?”
The
suggested answer to these questions is: -
“They could include our temples, our
chapels, our homes, and the stakes of
An
examination of the above scriptures in detail
To
obtain the ‘full picture’ and meaning of this phrase “Stand in Holy Places?”
let us examine in detail each scripture
reference: -
First-The meaning of ‘Stand in Holy Places’ in D&C 45:32
“And
there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they
shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the
land. But my disciples shall stand in
holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift
up their voices and curse God and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in
divers’ places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against
me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill
one another. And now, when I the Lord had spoken these words unto my disciples,
they were troubled. And I said unto them: Be
not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that
the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.” 45:31-35
After
detailing the great calamities that would take place prior to the Second Coming
the Lord admonished His disciples to ‘be not troubled’-why-because the promises
which He had made would be kept.
What promises? These are given later in the same revelation.
To the Jews: -
“And
before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon
be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven. And the remnant (of the
Jews) shall be gathered unto this place (
To the Saints: -
“…call
upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches
unto me. And with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye
may purchase an inheritance, which shall hereafter be appointed unto you. And
it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a
place of safety for the saints of the most High God; And the glory of the Lord
shall be there, and the terror of the lord also shall be there, insomuch that
the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion. And it shall
come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword
against his neighbour must
needs flee unto
Notes:
- there will be …an overflowing scourge….a desolating sickness…..earthquakes
and many desolations…men will kill one another….As a result “every man that will not take his sword against his
neighbour must needs flee unto Zion for safety”
It
would not be possible for the saints to escape these calamities whilst living
amongst the wicked they would need to establish
Can
we now answer the question “what does it mean to stand in holy places?” on a
more scriptural basis.
As
the above scriptures indicate the holy places are
This
is in accord with all other scriptures on the same subject. For example: -
“Watch,
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour. Let them, therefore, who
are among the Gentiles flee unto
Study the document “How the Saints will be Preserved in the Last
Days”
President
Marion G. Romney gave a general conference address based on the above quoted
D&C 45:35 entitled “Be Not Troubled”. After quoting the above scriptures he
states: -
“I
hope we are all familiar with these words of the Lord and with his predictions
concerning other coming events, such as the building of the New Jerusalem and
the redemption of the old, the return of Enoch’s
Not only do I hope that we are familiar
with these events; I hope also that we keep the vision of them continually
before our minds. This I do because upon knowledge of them, and an assurance of
their reality and a witness that each of us may have part there in, rests the
efficacy of Christ’s admonition, “be not troubled”.
It
has always been faith in a lofty goal and confidence that it
may be that have held people on the rugged course to high attainment. It
was the assurance that they could obtain the land flowing with “milk and
honey”, that held Moses to the task of leading
If we
are to remain on course through the stresses of the rising storm, it is
imperative that we have a similar sustaining and motivating goal. The Lord has
given us no reason to think it will be easy to stay on course. As a matter of
fact, he said that deception would become so persuasive that if it were
possible, the very elect shall be deceived
(Matthew
24:24).
Neither
has he promised that the impending calamities will be miraculously turned aside
nor that through the wisdom of men they are be averted. They are upon us
because men have refused to be lead by the living God. Generally speaking, men
have rejected him and have chosen to put their trust in their own wisdom. In
this they have made a terrible and tragic mistake. All history vindicates, and
coming events will vindicate the prophet’s statement, “Cursed is he that
putteth his trust in the arm of flesh” (2nd Nephi 34:34).
See
Oct 1966 General Conference.
Second- The meaning of ‘Stand
in Holy Places’ in D&C 101: 22-23
“Behold,
it is my will that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to
mine everlasting gospel, should gather
together, and stand in holy places and prepare for the revelation which is to
come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which
hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together.”
Again
we need to examine this revelation section 101 as a whole to understand what is
meant by ‘gather together and stand in holy places’ in preparation for the
Second Coming.
Doctrine
and Covenants section 101: -
V11-13:
- “Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all nations;
and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full. And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all
mine
The need
to stand in Holy Places is explained in this scripture. When the fulness of
iniquity is reached the wrath of God will descend upon the nations. In that day
Study the document “The Fulness of Iniquity brings the Wrath of
God”
V16-21:
- “Therefore let your hearts be comforted concerning
Here
the Lord explains that although the saints have been scattered (see also
v13-14) there is no need to worry about
Warnings
and a parable are then given to admonish the Saints not to be slothful in
hearkening unto the commandments concerning
The
Lord then details what the church should specifically do when the time arrives
to keep the commandment to stand in Holy Places: -
V 63-67:
- “I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as
they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their
salvation-that the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue,
that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places, and my word must needs
be fulfilled.
Therefore, I must gather together my
people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares……Therefore, a
commandment I give unto all the churches, that they shall continue to gather
together unto the places which I have appointed….let not your gathering be in haste, nor
by flight; but let all things be prepared before you.
And in order that all things be prepared
before you, observe the commandment which I have given concerning these
things-which saith, or teacheth, to purchase all the lands with money, which
can be purchased for money, in the region round about the land which I have
appointed to be the land of Zion, for the beginning of the gathering of my
saints; all the land which can be purchased in Jackson County and the counties
round about…and
the churches in the Eastern countries, when they are built up, if they will
hearken unto this counsel they may buy lands and gather together upon them; and
in this way they may establish Zion.
There
is even now already in store sufficient, yea, even an abundance, to redeem
Zion, and establish her waste places, no more to be thrown down, were the
churches, who call themselves after my name’ willing to hearken to my
voice.”
Having
now examined this revelation in more detail instead of isolating one phrase we
can answer the question without hesitation: -What does it mean to stand in holy
places?
Third-The meaning of ‘Stand in
Holy Places’ in D&C 87:8
“Wherefore,
stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for
behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen”
Details
in other parts of the revelation explain why we need to ‘stand in holy places’:
-
“And
the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at
this place……..And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the
earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder
of lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the
wrath, and the indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the
consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations; that the cry of the
saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of
the Lord of Sabaoth…” D&C 87:2, 6-7
This
is similar to other scriptures on the same subject for example: -
“I,
the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants
of the earth. I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the
earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every
man; and the saints shall also hardly escape….and behold, this is not yet, but
by and by. Wherefore, seeing that I, the
lord, have decreed all these things upon the face of the earth, I will that my
saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion and that every man
should….declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the
wicked.” D&C 63:32-37
The only conclusion that can be reached
when the above scriptures are put in context is that to ‘stand in holy places’
is to stand upon the land of Zion in order to escape the promised desolations.
Is
this what is meant by “stand in holy places”- our chapels and homes
The
following extract is taken from the section “The
Tragedy of the Saints in
Elder
Frederick W.Babbel who accompanied Elder Benson to Europe and formerly served
as a secretary to the European mission for fourteen tears recalled in General
Conference April 1947: -
“I
wish that you could realize some of the sufferings of the Saints in
They
have suffered much, my brethren and sisters. You heard President Clark read a
letter here on Friday from President Walter Stover in
Nearly
all meetinghouses had been destroyed. Many branches were meeting in the homes
of the relatively few members who still could claim a home of their own…”
End
of quote
Latter-Day –Saints suffer with the rest of society
as they live amongst the wicked when calamities such as wars and earthquakes
occur even though they may have righteous homes and attend chapels and temples
to worship God.
Additional scripture references in
respect of “stand in holy places”
“Let
the city,
“…Until
the next conference, which shall be held in
according to the covenant.” D&C
52:2 (See also D&C 103:35; 105:15; 84:2-3.)
Gospel
Doctrine Teacher’s manual for the Old Testament- Year-2002
The
glory of
This
is a further illustration how the scriptures which include the phrase “stand in
holy places” can be taken out of context
‘The
glory of
Lesson 36 Isaiah chapter’s 1-6
Extracts
from the Gospel Doctrine Manual: -
“Purpose:
- encourage class members to avoid the evils of the world by standing in holy
places”
Quotes
D&C 45:32; 87:8; 101:22 and the teacher is to write on the blackboard: -
“Stand
ye in holy places, and be not moved”.
“Answers
may include, being worthy at all times; desiring to be in holy places
frequently, choosing not to go into unholy places, having confidence that God
will guide you, and taking a stand for truth and holiness.”
“Class
members will discover why the Lord has commanded us to stand in holy places and
what these places are”
“Isaiah
counsels the faithful to stand in holy places.”
“What
places offer safety from the worldly conditions mentioned by Isaiah 4:5-6
Every
dwelling place of
Assemblies-suggested
answer-stakes, wards, and branches
Tabernacle-
suggested answer-temples
The teacher is to ask the following
questions: -
How
can a home be a holy place and offer refuge from the wickedness of the world?
How
can stakes, wards, and branches be holy places and refuges?
How
can a temple be a holy place and refuge?
How
have these three holy places helped provide a defence for you from the evils of
the world?
“Write
‘stand in holy places’ on the chalkboard (again?) And then write below it
1
Homes 2 Stakes, wards, and Branches; and 3.
List class member’s comments under each
heading”
“What expressions are used in Isaiah
4:5-6 to describe how these holy places (i.e. Homes stakes, wards, and
temples) will protect us?
“A
shadow in the daytime from the heat”
“A
place of refuge”
“A
covert (a hiding place or shelter) from storm and from rain”
“What prophecy about temples in the last
days is included in Isaiah 2:2-3?
Suggested
answer-many people will come to the house of God, which is the temple, and
desire to learn God’s commandments and walk in His ways)
“Why
do you think Isaiah described the temple as a ‘mountain of the Lord’?”
“Isaiah
describes the gathering of
In Isaiah
5:26-29, Isaiah describes the latter-day gathering of
“Question-
how is the prophecy that nations will be gathered to the Church being fulfilled
today? Suggested answer- missionaries are going throughout the world to teach
the gospel and gather people to the truth.”
END
OF QUOTE FROM MANUAL
In
answer to the implied meaning given to the scriptural references in the above
lesson based on Isaiah chapters 1-6
The
lesson first refers to D&C 45:32; 87:8; 101:22. These scriptures are
exactly the same as those explained in detail from Doctrine and Covenants
lesson mentioned above. The only conclusion that could be reached is ‘to stand
in holy places’ refers to the New Jerusalem and the
These scriptures in Isaiah which are
being applied to mean to our homes, ward, stakes, and temples in the world
today are clearly being taken out of context.
Isaiah
4:5-6-refers to the Millennium
This
whole chapter as the heading indicates is referring to the millennial day.
For
example verse 3-4 states: -
“And
it shall come to pass, that he that is left in
Note
the footnote to verse 4: (a) “IE When the lord has cleansed the earth he will
set up His dwelling and His protective presence here (See 5-6)”
V5-6: - “And the Lord will create upon every
dwelling place of mount Zion and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day,
and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory (of Zion)
shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime
from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from
rain”
These verses list the protective measures
the Lord will set up during the Millennium.
How
can we therefore in honesty try to apply these scriptures to our homes, wards
stakes, and temples today? This is totally taking these scriptures out of
context. We realize that our homes, chapels, and temples offer a sanctuary from
the evils of the world today but they are not what Isaiah was referring to in
these passages of scripture,
Isaiah
2:2-3-The Mountain of the Lord’s House
The
questions in the manual reads: -
“What
prophecy about temples in the last days is included in Isaiah 2:2-3?”
and “Why do you think Isaiah described the temple as a ‘mountain of the Lord’?”
Isaiah
2:2-3: - “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the
Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people
shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the lord, to the
house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of His ways, and we will walk
in his paths: for out of
Note:
- In the Book of Mormon when Nephi quotes the same scripture from Isaiah he
uses the word ‘when’ the mountain of the Lord instead of ‘that’ as in the K J V
of the Bible, See 2 Nephi 12:2
Isaiah
identifies in the same verses when the mountain of the Lord’s will be
established:
“…..And
he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall
beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more”
Isaiah 2:3-4.
This is therefore referring to the
millennium. This
therefore has not yet been fulfilled; and therefore the mountain of the Lord
has not yet been established.
In
the Heading to D&C Section 57: - The Prophet exclaims in yearning prayer: -
“…When will
Subsequently
he received the following revelation: -
“In
this
Clearly
the temple that is mentioned by Isaiah is the same temple referred by the Lord
to the Prophet Joseph; the great temple that will be built in independence
Additional scriptures and statements
which throw light on where the mountain of the lord is located:
“And
let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto
D&C 133 12-13 (See V 9)
“Is there
not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman…therefore, come up hither
unto the land of my people, even
The
Prophet Joseph taught: -
“That
it is the
Interpretation
of the phrase the ‘Mountain of the Lord’ is referring to
It is important to realize that the most
widely accepted interpretation by Gospel Scholars on the book of Isaiah for the
word ‘mountain’ is ‘kingdom’ or ‘nation’ or
‘city’ or even ‘the dwelling place of the lord’.
As we
substitute for example the word city or place of the Lord for mountain these
passages become much easier to understand.
Isaiah
did not describe the temple as a ‘mountain of the Lord’ but that the temple
would be located in a ‘city’ of the Lord
Additional examples of the use of the
word mountain by the Prophets: -
“They
shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover
the sea.” Isaiah 11:9
“Thus
saith the Lord; I am returned unto
“The
Lord also shall roar out of
It is clear from the above scriptures
that the mountain of the Lord is
Elder
Alvin R. Dyer, counsellor to the First Presidency stated: -
“When
the final gathering of the saints, in the due time of the Lord, declared by the
Prophet Joseph Smith as not many years hence, shall have been accomplished, it will centre at Independence, in Jackson
County, Missouri, called by the Lord the “Centre place”, for there will be the
mountain of the Lord’s house.” From this centre “the law shall go forth from
“In
December, 1830, the lord began the announcements of his appearance in the
“And
for the purpose of the purchasing of lands for the public benefit of the
Church, and building houses of worship, and building up of the new Jerusalem
which is hereafter to be revealed-That my covenant people may be gathered in
one in that day when I shall come to my temple. And this I do for the salvation
of my people.” D&C 42:35-36
Here
the Lord shall establish his earth headquarters, his dwelling place on earth,
and thus the mountain of the Lord’s house, to be exalted above all other
kingdoms, houses, or mountains of men, shall be established. From this central
point, the temple of the New Jerusalem, shall go forth the law, to govern all
of mankind upon the earth in that time of the millennial reign of Christ.” (See
Micah 4:1-2) Refiners Fire pages 101-102
Note:
- concerning “in the top of the mountains” Dummelow in his Bible
commentary states the meaning of this as “at the head”. This is symbolic
to the fact the Lord’s house shall be at the head or above all other ‘houses’,
kingdoms, cities etc that are upon the earth.
Isaiah
5:26-29-An Ensign to the Nations
The
manual states: - “Isaiah describes the latter-day gathering of
Is
this correct? Let us examine other scriptures on the same topic.
“And
he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from
the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly” Isaiah
What
does modern revelation state the ensign mentioned by Isaiah to be:-
“For,
behold, I say unto you that Zion shall
flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her; and she shall be an
ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under
heaven and the day shall come when the nations of the earth shall tremble
because of her, and shall fear because of her terrible ones. The Lord hath
spoken it” D&C 64:41-43
This
scripture ties in with another revelation on
“And
there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall
be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be
said among the wicked; Let us not go up to battle against
The
answer is clear. The Ensign referred to is
Inasmuch
as the church is a preparation for
Compare
also Isaiah 1:19-20 with D&C 64:34-35
Additional Notes: - The
relationship between the Church and
First- it is hoped that our homes,
wards, stakes and temples will all be places of righteousness, which are free
from the evils of the world.
Second- the organisation of the
Church serves as a preparation for the establishment of
Hugh
Nibley puts it this way: -
“The
Church is a trial run for
We
should not apply scriptures that have reference to
As
the following scriptures indicate the church is a preparation for
“…In preparing the churches to keep the
commandments which I have given unto them concerning the restoration and
redemption of
“And
the churches in the Eastern countries, when
they are built up, if they hearken unto this counsel they may buy lands and gather together upon them; and in this way they
may establish Zion” D&C101: 74
“Yea
I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you, and I will establish a church by your hand; and
you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be
gathered.” D&C 31:7-8. (See also D&C 58:48-53)
“And
inasmuch as ye shall find them that will receive you ye shall build up my church in every region-until the time shall
come when it shall be revealed unto you from on high, when the city of the New Jerusalem shall be prepared, that ye may be
gathered in one, that ye may be my people and I will be your God” D&C
42:8-9
The
elders are to “…call upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do
repent, build up churches unto me,
and with one heart and one mind, gather
up your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be
appointed unto you. And it shall be called the New Jerusalem…. And there shall be gathered unto it out of
every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not
be at war one with another.” D&C 45:64-66, 69 extracts only.
As these scriptures plainly teach the
church is established to restore the Lord’s people to the Gospel-the principles
of salvation- in preparation for the gathering to
“Yea
the word of the Lord concerning His church, established in the last days for (1) The restoration of His people, as
he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for (2) the gathering of saints to stand upon mount Zion, which shall
be the city of New Jerusalem.”
D&C 84:2.
“But
if they (the Gentiles) will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not
their hearts, I will establish my church
among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among
this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their
inheritance; and they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall
come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
And then shall they assist my people that
they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the
land, in unto the New Jerusalem…Yea, and then shall the work commence, with
the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be
gathered home to the land of their inheritance. And they shall go out from all nations; they shall not go out in
haste, nor go by flight for I will go before them.”
3 NEPHI
21:22-24, 28-29. (See 3 Nephi 16:16)
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